Quoted from too-many-pins:Clothing is the same way - you don't have to do without but a $8 pair of jeans will last just as long as a $50 pair of jeans. Just buy stuff on sale and watch for deals and you can save a boat load of money.
I'm guessing your wife hasn't heard of StitchFix yet, or she has a lot better self control than mine!! Shopping without actually shopping....The SOB who invented that needs to be shot.